Coroner asks for more information on death of woman, 80, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

A coroner has asked for further information before he decides whether or nor to hold an inquest into the death of an 80-year-old woman at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Joan Keate, of Lemon Tree Court, St Annes, attended the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and a CT scan was ordered by medical staff.

Analysis of the scan was said by medics to show up no bowel perforation or obstruction but, shortly afterwards, Mrs Keate was found to be unresponsive and a post mortem showed she died of a bowel infarction.

At a review hearing at Blackpool Town Hall, Blackpool and Fylde senior coroner Alan Wilson, told the hospital representative that he wants to see a copy of the scan and scan report before deciding whether or not to hold an inquest.

He also asked if someone from the gastroenterology department would be available to comment on the timing of the scan and the coroner wishes to give Mrs Keate’s family more time for their input.

He said the provisional date for an inquest in late June would be kept in the diary while he awaited the required information.